Following Australia's record-breaking 309-run win against the Netherlands in the 24th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Wednesday, Aussie skipper Pat Cummins said that he is happy to put 400 runs on the scoreboard and defend it well.
While talking at the post-match presentation, Cummins said that he and Maxwell both contributed equally to the 100-run partnership. He added that they were aiming to get wickets in the powerplay and bowled quite well without a lot of luck. However, Cummins also stated that he doesn't think that they have nailed the 50 overs with the bat yet. "Really happy, complete game. To put 400 on board and then defend well, couldn't be happier. Crazy innings. I think we both contributed equally in that hundred partnership (chuckles). Those fantastic innings were the cleanest hitting I've seen. We played the style we liked to. Please with Smithy getting runs. We were aiming for powerplay wickets and bowled quite well without a lot of luck. Zamps with another four-fer. They (New Zealand) are a really good side. Big game in Dharamsala. It's the World Cup and we are in a good space, can't wait to get there. (Areas to improve) I don't think we have totally nailed the 50 overs with the bat yet," Cummins said. Coming to the match, Australia opted to bat first and scored 399/8 in just 50 overs. Maxwell (106) and David Warner (104 in 93 balls with 11 fours and three sixes) led the onslaught with their centuries. Steve Smith (71 in 68 balls, with nine fours and six) and Marnus Labuschagne (62 in 47 balls with seven fours and two sixes), who smashed half-centuries. Logan van Beek (4/74) and Bas de Leede (2/115) were among the pick of the bowlers for the Netherlands. In the run-chase inning, Adam Zampa bagged four wickets and Mitchell Marsh scalped two wickets in their respective spells to stop Netherlands at 90 runs to seal a stellar win. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins took one wicket each. On the other hand, no Dutch batsman could score more than 25 runs. Glenn Maxwell was named the Player of the Match after his 106-run knock from 44 balls. (ANI)
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